Gear Up: Big Agnes Tumble 2 mtnGLO Tent

agnesRecently, many outdoorsmen—backcountry specialists, in particular—have rejoiced with the announcement of a new line of tents from Big Agnes. Yes, Big Agnes has several tent models out there already, but their newest line, the mtnGLO series, is comprised of the first ever integrated light tents. Today, we’ll take a look at one model in this series, the Tumble 2.

With Big Agnes’ mtnGLO series, you can leave a few lanterns at home when you hit the trails, saving precious space in your pack when it’s needed. This is thanks to the series’ LED light strands that are integrated into the tent bodies. The LED lights light up the interior of your tent for over 90 hours. The strand of lights is also strong, flexible, and durable, built to hold up against repeated pitching and packing for years. Controlled by an easy push-button, the lights offer three settings of brightness—on, off, and ½ power—and they’re powered by three AAA batteries.

The tent itself is easy to set up, using a symmetrical pole structure, lightweight hubs, eight lightweight aluminum stakes, and plastic clips that attach right to the frame. The tent also features a door and vestibule, with storm flaps on the vestibule zipper. Construction-wise, all of the tent’s seams are sealed with waterproof, solvent-free polyurethane tape to keep out excessive rain.

The Tumble 2 is a three-season, two-person tent, so you’ll have durable construction (ripstop polyester) and ample space for two (90×54-in floor space, 42-in peak height). It packs down to around five pounds, too. Inside, you’ll also find two media pockets above the sleeping area, as well as four mesh gear pockets to keep your small, ready-to-use items within reach.

Finally, the Tumble 2 only runs $250 at your nearest REI, which is a steal for those in the market for a new shelter. By implanting LED strands in the Tumble 2’s construction, Big Agnes has come up with a great way to shave some precious pounds without having to sacrifice the ability to see in your tent at night. Keep the Tumble 2, and the entire mtnGLO series in mind this season!